10 Movies & Shows Similar to Anna Karenina (1977)

Description: 'Gone with the Wind' and 'Anna Karenina' are both epic romances set against the backdrop of historical upheaval. Both films feature strong-willed heroines whose personal lives are deeply affected by the societal changes around them. The grandeur and scale of 'Gone with the Wind', as well as its exploration of love and loss, make it a fitting companion to 'Anna Karenina'.

Fact: The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and held the record for highest-grossing film for over 25 years. Vivien Leigh, who plays Scarlett O'Hara, also starred in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'. The famous line 'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn' was voted the number one movie quote by the American Film Institute.

Description: Like 'Anna Karenina', 'Doctor Zhivago' is a sweeping historical drama set against the backdrop of a tumultuous period in Russian history. Both films explore themes of love, passion, and societal constraints, with a strong focus on the personal struggles of their protagonists. The visual aesthetics of both films are rich and detailed, capturing the grandeur and tragedy of their respective eras.

Fact: 'Doctor Zhivago' was directed by David Lean, who also directed 'Lawrence of Arabia' and 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'. The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Original Score for Maurice Jarre's iconic 'Lara's Theme'. The movie was banned in the Soviet Union until 1994 due to its portrayal of the Russian Revolution.

Description: This film, like 'Anna Karenina', delves into the complexities of love and societal expectations in a rigid, aristocratic society. Both stories feature protagonists who are torn between their desires and the strict moral codes of their time. The cinematography and costume design in 'The Age of Innocence' are meticulously crafted, much like in 'Anna Karenina', to reflect the opulence and constraints of high society.

Fact: Directed by Martin Scorsese, known for his gritty crime films, this was a departure into period drama for him. The film won the Oscar for Best Costume Design. The novel by Edith Wharton, on which the film is based, won the Pulitzer Prize in

Description: This film, like 'Anna Karenina', deals with themes of repressed emotions and the sacrifices made for duty and societal expectations. Both stories are set in a bygone era and feature protagonists who must confront their choices and the paths not taken. The restrained yet powerful performances and the period detail in 'The Remains of the Day' are reminiscent of 'Anna Karenina'.

Fact: Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson reunite after 'Howards End' in this film. The novel by Kazuo Ishiguro won the Booker Prize in

Description: Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility', like 'Anna Karenina', examines the complexities of love and marriage within the confines of societal norms. Both stories feature women who must navigate their emotions and practical considerations in a world that offers them little agency. The film's elegant production and nuanced character development mirror those of 'Anna Karenina'.

Fact: Emma Thompson wrote the screenplay and won an Oscar for it, while also starring as Elinor Dashwood. This was Ang Lee's first English-language film. The film launched Kate Winslet's career in Hollywood.

Description: Both 'Atonement' and 'Anna Karenina' explore themes of love, betrayal, and the consequences of one's actions. The storytelling in 'Atonement' is similarly layered and tragic, with a strong emphasis on the emotional and moral dilemmas faced by its characters. The film's period setting and lush cinematography are reminiscent of 'Anna Karenina'.

Fact: The film features a famous five-minute tracking shot on the beaches of Dunkirk, considered one of the most impressive in cinema. It won the Oscar for Best Original Score. The novel by Ian McEwan was named one of the 100 greatest English-language novels since 1923 by Time magazine.

Description: 'The Duchess' shares with 'Anna Karenina' a focus on a woman trapped in a loveless marriage who seeks fulfillment outside societal norms. Both films highlight the limited options available to women in their respective historical periods and the consequences of defying social conventions. The lavish production design and costumes in 'The Duchess' echo the visual splendor of 'Anna Karenina'.

Fact: Keira Knightley, who stars in 'The Duchess', also played Anna Karenina in the 2012 adaptation. The film is based on the life of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, an ancestor of Princess Diana. The movie won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design.

Description: 'Jane Eyre' and 'Anna Karenina' both feature heroines who struggle against societal constraints and seek love on their own terms. The gothic undertones and emotional intensity of 'Jane Eyre' are akin to the dramatic tension in 'Anna Karenina'. Both films are adaptations of classic novels that explore themes of morality, passion, and redemption.

Fact: Mia Wasikowska, who plays Jane, also starred in 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Crimson Peak'. The film was shot in the UK, with many scenes filmed at Haddon Hall, a medieval manor house. Charlotte Brontë's novel has been adapted over 20 times for film and television.

Description: This adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel, like 'Anna Karenina', centers on a strong-willed woman navigating love and independence in a restrictive society. Both films feature pastoral settings that contrast with the emotional turmoil of the characters. The themes of unrequited love and societal pressure are central to both stories.

Fact: This is the fourth film adaptation of Hardy's novel. Carey Mulligan, who stars as Bathsheba Everdene, was also in 'The Great Gatsby' and 'An Education'. The film was shot entirely on location in England, capturing the beauty of the countryside.

Description: Greta Gerwig's adaptation of 'Little Women', like 'Anna Karenina', portrays the lives and struggles of women in a patriarchal society. Both films highlight the tension between personal desires and societal expectations, with a focus on strong female characters. The narrative structure and emotional depth of 'Little Women' are comparable to Tolstoy's work.

Fact: Saoirse Ronan, who plays Jo March, was also in 'Atonement' and 'Lady Bird'. The film received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Gerwig's script interweaves timelines from the novel in a non-linear fashion, a creative departure from previous adaptations.